Placebo – Live in Madrid
Palacio De Los Deportes 30/07/2014
by Rina Chetrit, Israel
Layout / Desing SusanneCk - Placebo Anyway
From where shall I begin...? Well, it will be from December 2013.
I'll explain why soon.
After I was at Ziggo Dome – Amsterdam
(08/12/2013) and at Bercy – Paris
(10/12/2013) I told to myself, I must see Placebo live again and soon.
When the time passed, and I saw that Placebo don't add a concert in
Tel Aviv, I understood that the odds to have it are so small.
On February 2014, Rachel (my dear soulmate) and me, started to plan
our summer trip. When the time got closer, I told "behind the scenes"
to my dear Susanne (Placebo Anyway) about our plans, and she told me that she will be there as
well with Rosa from Barcelona.
I was looking forward for us to meet!!
Until the upcoming day had arrived, my patience was at its edge.
I must mention where I'm from. Having this summer trip while in Israel there's
a war, for us it's not "a picnic". According to the genial anthem
song *Too Many Friends* I've realized all over again who supports Israel and the
life. And in parallel the ones who do and do not flatter for enjoying my trip.
I came to the concert emotionally loaded. For sure that added a very special
level for this amazing experience.
When I booked hotels on December 2013, I adopted the brilliant idea
of dwelling so close to the venues. So when Madrid's turn came, I saw Convenciรณn hotel
really near to the venue, there was no other option for us. I even started to
imagine… maybe Placebo will be staying there as well. I would like to say, that
it's a possibility, cos they returned to Madrid
after the festival in Barcelona.
And yet, something tiny happened… LA – the amazing supporting act was staying
there, and suddenly the (Keanu Reeves) drummer got up the stairs of the lobby,
and we thanked him about the great show, he asked us: "Did you enjoy it?
It was great?" We said: "yes" and smiled to us. So… this was a
small taste of a fantasy. If only I could meet Brian and thank him for this
healing music, shake hands and smile to each other. I really don't need a photo
and a signature (these are extras). Shall I continue dreaming? Sad tears here…
THE Scene of the Crime is about to begin!! lol
When the gates opened, I run like a lunatic down the stairs and
towards the pista zone.
I stood between Brian and Stef and at the 7th row. After
the amazing warm up from LA band ended, and when Brian entered to the stage…
all the crowd rotated facing him, and I found myself at the 5th row
and a bit to the left closer to Brian… gravity, no escaping gravity… lol and
after several songs, Brian introduces Stef to the crowd and gave him attention,
so that we will do the same.
I will mention some highlights; I truly can't analyze each song… cos
at Placebo concerts, when the 1st song begins and the 2nd
one comes, the accords don't stop.
It's like one very long sequence song (up until the encore part of
course).
Let's start with the venue itself. The space has become smaller, cos
around 5,000 fans came. So… the other zones were covered with black fabrics. It
felt like an intimate place. This gave Placebo and mostly Brian feel like he
delivers the concert at our huge living room.
At the beginning, I've tried… oh God, I've tried to take photos…
after 3, I've decided to put my camera in my purse and fully enjoy the concert.
And I've got the most precious souvenir from this experience. Brian looked at
me twice and Stef once.
This happens when you're fully focused at the target and retain eye
contact, when the other side feels you gave him a direct fully attention, his
reaction back to you comes automatically and naturally.
Because of this intimate place, Brian felt so comfortable and let
himself to be 100% free – musically, vocally, emotionally, sensually,
physically and so communicative with the crowd. There was an amazing dynamic
between Placebo and the group of meds believers ;) Brian jumped high, was so
energetic, so erotic my God!! "just" to mention here *Too Many
Friends* comparing to Bercy and Ziggo… there he was sad while here he was like
a warrior, he expressed his feeling without barriers. Back then I've cried
during this song, while now I was a fighter, joining Brian's war about this
sensitive issue. During *Meds* such a divine melancholic version, Brian at some
moments stared at the crowd, with very long glances to the right, left, center
and all over again. This with his special way of "stretching" the
song, like with sexual intercourse… We together don't want that "the
coming" will arrive soon, so we "delay" it for a bit later… lol
Stef was in charge of the "dancing" side of the crowd. So
nobly directed with his beautiful long arms clapping with many forms, and the
crowd joined him like one loud loving unit.
During *The Bitter End* Brian was literally came to the peak of
pleasure. While playing that "poor" guitar… lol I definitely needed a
cigarette at that very moment… ;)
Some orgasmic Brian's habits… Flamingo stance, The pinkie touching
gently the hair, Wide open arms ready for a masses hugging, Long and deep
stares to the crowd, Tapping on the guitar, Shoot me alive act… pointing on the
forehead, oh God!! That folded finger… Y'Know… lol. That asking for answers
facing the skies stance. That narrow opened mouth and having a moment of
meditation while suddenly opened the eyes and looking above. Brian's tuning the
pedals, Brian laying on the floor and playing the guitar. SOMEONE CALL THE AMBULANCE!! ROFL
The major part of the concert ended, and this amazing crowd was
clapping and was loud-load of love cheering Placebo to come back to the stage,
and they returned fast!!
I would like to say that the dynamic connection between Brian and
Stef is better; it's logic cos they're closer geographically on stage of this
small venue. And still… It's not like back then. For instance: at my very 1st
Placebo concert, here in Tel Aviv (June 2010)… they were emotionally and
physically so close, nearly like two divine swans on stage having a full
satisfaction of each other. While at this tour… sadly, it's not that much… and
I miss this part a lot.
*Infra-Red* part came!! I
couldn't grasp how this concert came to its end that fast!!
This last song was so long, nearly 8 minutes!! Towards the end of
the song, Sunshine Steve came to the front line of the stage, and throws his
drums sticks to the crowd.
For sure, he's as well felt amazing from this night. And something
new happened for the 1st time at this long tour!! Steve went down to
the crowd level, and let the crowd touch him… "damn!!" lucky
"bustards"!! lol It was amazing to see him that close!!
The concert ended, all six came to the front line of the stage, clap
to the crowd simultaneously with us for a very long time. It seems that Placebo
couldn't leave the place that easily. Brian with his traditional pedals guitars
off tuning while he went down on he knees… he rose up, and went out to the
inner left side of stage while having his last accord on the guitar and waving
us goodbye.
We were so amazed and so sad that this orgasmic experience ended.
Outside, at last we met Susanne and Rosa!! It was exciting moments
for me!!
What a huge night with gallons of emotions!!
Thank you Placebo for your healing music and mostly for existing
intensely in my life during these 19 years!!
Setlist:
1)
B3
2)
For What It's Worth
3)
Loud Like Love
4)
Allergic (to Thoughts of Mother
Earth)
5)
Every You Every Me
6)
Scene of the Crime
7)
A Million Little Pieces
8)
Rob the Bank
9)
Too Many Friends
10)
Space Monkey
11)
One of a Kind
12)
Exit Wounds
13)
Meds
14)
Song to Say Goodbye
15)
Special K
16)
The Bitter End
Encore:
17)
Begin the End
18)
Running Up That Hill
19)
Post Blue
20)
Infra-red
Placebo – Live in Madrid
Palacio De Los Deportes 30/07/2014
by Rina Chetrit, Israel
Layout / Desing SusanneCk - Placebo Anyway
